West Brom v QPR preview

Bottom club QPR face tough challenge against in-form Baggies

By Adam Battensby   Last updated: 5th October 2012   Subscribe to RSS Feed

West Brom v QPR preview

The Hawthorns: Proving a tough place to visit this season

Away from home, QPR have taken just three points from the last 48 available in the Premier League

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This season's surprise package West Bromwich Albion welcome struggling Queens Park Rangers to The Hawthorns in the Premier League on Saturday.

West Brom are currently sixth in the league, just a point away from a UEFA Champions League position whilst big spending QPR, who have failed to record a win this season, are bottom.

In their previous outing, West Brom were denied the bragging rights in the Midlands derby clash with Aston Villa on Sunday as Darren Bent cancelled out Shane Long's opener in the 80th minute.

The result means West Brom are without a win in two games going into the clash as they look to put things right and heap more pressure on Mark Hughes and QPR.

QPR have picked up just two points this season in battling displays against Chelsea and Norwich City.

They have conceded 13 goals and scored only four. The Hoops have had a shocking run of form, despite spending millions in the summer improving the squad.

West Brom and QPR have met only twice previously in the Premier League, with most of their meetings coming in The Championship.

West Brom got the better of the London club in a 1-0 home victory last season in the last meeting between the two.West Brom will be without the servies of a number of injured players for the visit of QPR, including Irishman Steven Reid and former Birmingham defender Liam Ridgewell.

Baggies captain Chris Brunt suffered a hamstring injury in the Midlands derby at Villa Park on Sunday, as did right-back Billy Jones.

Both will miss out in a fresh injury blow to boss Steve Clarke as they continue on the road to recovery.

The dangerous Long and impressive Belgium international Romelu Lukaku will look to step up to the mark and cause problems for QPR's injury-ravaged defence. QPR's efforts in the league this season have been hampered by a catalogue of injuries.

No fewer than five players will miss the trip to The Hawthorns, with Anton Ferdinand among four defenders currently unfit for selection.

Samba Diakite will also miss out through suspension following the red card he picked up during a substitute appearance against West Ham United on Monday night.

Bobby Zamora will look to add to his three goals this season as he fights to prove his worth in the team whilst influential Moroccan Adel Tarrabt could start for Rangers.